The Škocjan Caves Regional Park

The Skocjan Caves Regional Park lies in the south-west of Slovenia, on the main Karst plateau, from which the word Karst originates. The park encompasses 413 hectares and is 15 km from Italy (Fernetici by Trieste), 80 km from Ljubljana and 12 km from the Lipica Stud.The Skocjan Caves, with the vastness of their underground halls and gorges, hold a special place among the seven thousand caves in Slovenia. They comprise a network of eleven caves, with hollows, swallow holes, natural bridges among them many geological features.Because of their unique natural features and cultural heritage they have been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1986, and in 1999 were put on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance as the world’s largest underground wetlands. You will marvel at the beauty of both the underground world and the surrounding karst world above.The temperature in the cave is constant 12°C.

What the park offers you In addition to tours of the Škocjan Caves, which are open to visitors year-round, the park offers visitors various other possibilities for learning about the Kras region and its features. • Škocjan Museum exhibitions. A tour of the village itself includes an ethnography exhibition in the J’Kopin Barn, an illustrated history of the exploration of the Škocjan Caves in the Jurjevo Barn, and biology, geology, and archeology exhibitions in the Natural Science Center. • Visit the caves in winter, early spring, and late fall when tour groups are smaller than during the summer high season. • Škocjan Education Trail, a moderately demanding hour and a half walk around the Velika dolina and Mala dolina collapse dolines in the heart of the park. Informative signboards present the basic features of karst phenomena and numerous interesting descriptions of karst plants and animals as well as the rich cultural and historical heritage of the area.

Guided tours of the Education Trail for visiting groups can be arranged in advance during the school year (Monday-Friday).

Access to park:There are several routes to the park. The simplest route is via the Ljubljana-Koper expressway. Take the Divača exit and follow the signs for two kilometers to the Škocjan Caves. On the regional road there is a marked turnoff for the village of Škocjan, and the Škocjan Caves Information Center is in the village of Matavun. On the Ilirska Bistrica-Divača road there is a marked turnoff for Škocjan Caves Park in Famlje. Increasing numbers of visitors are coming to the park via train and a walk. The train arrives in Divača, from where a marked trail leads through Dolnje Ležeče to the Škocjan Park Information Center. The walk takes about 45 minutes.

Visitors are led on a tour of the Skocjan Caves by fully-qualified guides. The tour takes an hour and a half and explanation is given in English language. On the surface ancient barns housing ethnological, karstology, and archeological exhibitions await your visit. You can also walk through the park, marvel at its natural and cultural sights, and enjoy its unspoiled nature on the Škocjan Education Trail.

Tourist agencies can get a 10% discount. Guides of bigger groups (over 21 person ) have a free entrance.

Welcome to the caves!

Additional offer:Spend the night in the Škocjan Caves Park in private rooms or apartments of local inhabitants.

Restaurant Gostilna pri Jami Matavun, (at the entrance to the caves) is open every day from 9.00. They offer you a colourful choice of karst and other dishes and different type of drinks. They also accept reservations for bigger groups. Information and reservation: tel./fax 00386 (0)5 76 32 961

Special feature:The wonderful Škocjan Caves have been on the UNESCO List of World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites since 1986.